October, 16 2016 -

Mario Suárez hit the first brace of his career as coach Cesare Prandelli made a winning start at Valencia CF with a 2-1 victory away to Sporting Gijón.

The midfielder slotted home the ball clinically from 15 yards out, following a good team move after six minutes, and Sporting got back into the game before half time through a Carlos Castro header.

Suárez, though, volleyed into the roof of the net from six yards midway through the second half in Prandelli’s first match at the helm of the team.

Prandelli chose to have a 4-2-3-1 formation with Enzo Pérez and Mario Suárez providing protection in front of the defence and Dani Parejo pushed further forward.

They were missing the injured Nani and it was the more defensive minded Cancelo that played on the right with Rodrigo the lone forward.

The Blanquinegros were up against a Sporting side that was looking to get back on track after four-straight defeats and they had an early chance with Carlos Castro volleying over from close range.

Valencia quickly took the lead, though, with a fine move down the right and Suárez, although he is in the team for his skills in a more deep lying role, showed a predatory eye to slot the ball home.

Valencia looked sharp going forward, with Cancelo in particular moving well but Sporting had a lot of possession in the middle of the pitch where Rachid had his first start and was preferred to Nacho Cases.

Prandelli highlighted his main focus was to work on the defence and they were looking more secure but still Sporting grabbed an equaliser with Castro heading in an Isma López cross.

Valencia went out for the second half looking to exert more authority over the game and they held more possession as they looked to build from deep.

It became a fairly cagey match with both sides concentrating on being solid and Enzo Pérez did well providing protection as well as looking to build play.

Valencia got back in front after a searching free-kick from Parejo into the centre of the penalty area where Álvarez could only head the ball to Suárez and he controlled the ball before firing into the top of the goal.

Rodrigo could have put Valencia further ahead after latching onto a long ball by Parejo but having come inside Meré and getting the ball on his left foot, he couldn’t hit the target.

There were also some valiant defending late on as they ensured the win.

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Photographs by Lázaro de la Peña, re-use is not permitted.